10 Gripping Films and Shows Similar to Harriet

Description: A poignant story of a young African American woman's journey through abuse and oppression to find her voice and independence, resonating with themes of personal empowerment and resilience.

Fact: The film was adapted from Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. It marked Steven Spielberg's first dramatic film and received 11 Academy Award nominations.

Description: A crime thriller based on the FBI investigation into the murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964, highlighting themes of racial violence, justice, and perseverance.

Fact: The film is loosely based on the real-life Mississippi civil rights workers' murders. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: This war drama focuses on one of the first all-Black regiments in the Union Army during the Civil War, highlighting themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the fight for equality.

Fact: The film features the first regiment of African American soldiers in the Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington.

Description: A historical drama that recounts the 1839 mutiny aboard the slave ship La Amistad, exploring themes of justice, human rights, and the legal battles against slavery.

Fact: The case of the Amistad mutiny was a pivotal moment in the abolitionist movement. The film was based on actual events and court records.

Description: A biographical drama that follows the life of an African American butler who served in the White House through multiple administrations, reflecting on themes of service, dignity, and civil rights.

Fact: The film is loosely based on the real-life story of Eugene Allen, who worked in the White House for 34 years. It spans eight presidential terms from 1952 to

Description: This movie delves into the lives of African American maids working in white households in the 1960s, highlighting themes of racial injustice, courage, and the power of storytelling to effect change.

Fact: The novel on which the film is based spent over 100 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list. The film was shot in Mississippi, where the story is set.

Description: This film is a powerful historical drama that explores themes of resilience, identity, and the fight for freedom against systemic oppression. It shares a deep emotional resonance and a focus on personal struggle within a broader historical context.

Fact: The film is based on the 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup, a free Black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: This period drama tells the story of a mixed-race woman raised in British aristocracy, addressing themes of race, identity, and social justice in 18th-century England.

Fact: The film is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy officer. It highlights her role in the abolitionist movement.

Description: This historical drama depicts the 1831 Nat Turner slave rebellion, focusing on themes of resistance, leadership, and the brutal realities of slavery.

Fact: The film was written, directed, and produced by Nate Parker, who also stars as Nat Turner. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize.

Description: This film celebrates the contributions of African American women to NASA during the Space Race, emphasizing themes of perseverance, intelligence, and breaking racial and gender barriers.

Fact: The movie is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.